Scripture Reading: Luke 1:46-55

Mary, Did You Know?

Intro.

1. Popular song: “Mary, Did You Know?”

2. The song asks Mary if she knew who her child was and what he would do.

a. Scriptures give us some insight into this, Lk. 1:30-35.

b. Other things are left untold, Lk. 2:50-51.

3. Many false doctrines swirl around Mary (Catholic Mariology).

4. We are instructed and strengthened by a Biblical look of Mary.

-MARY, DID YOU KNOW...

A. ...The Faith You Would Need to be the Mother of Jesus? Lk. 1:38

1. Mary was a young woman of great faith, Lk. 1:28, 30, 46-55.

a. Faith is the defining mark of Mary’s character.

b. cf. Young women today: Defining marks often very different.

2. Mary’s faith was tested and expressed:

a. By Gabriel’s message, Lk. 1:30-33.

b. It’s OK to ask questions! Lk. 1:34-35

c. To accept God’s answer, Lk. 1:36-38.

d. By being pregnant while betrothed, Matt. 1:18-20. (Appeared to have acted shamefully.)

1) Betrothed: Legally binding engagement (1:19). (Try explaining to your fiancé you are a virgin and pregnant!)

2) Joseph contemplated putting her away privately, Matt. 1:19.

-Angel explained situation to Joseph, and this man of faith obeyed the Lord and completed the marriage, Matt. 1:20-25.

e. By the anticipation of future pain, Lk. 2:34-35.

f. Mary trusted the words of Jesus, Jno. 2:5.

3. Mary made herself available to God, Lk. 1:38.

a. Maidservant: Submissive attitude to the Lord’s will. “Here is a teenager facing misunderstanding and rejection from her family, her betrothed, and her townspeople. And yet she agrees. Mary affirms the bedrock truth that undergirds our discipleship: ‘I am the Lord's servant.’” (Dr. Ralph F. Wilson, jesuswalk.com)

b. “According to Your word:” Trust and obey.

c. Available for worship and praise (Lk. 1:46-56).

d. How available are you to the Lord as His servant?

4. Christian: Do you know you need Mary’s kind of (genuine) faith?

a. Do we know the faith we will need to disciples of Jesus (Christians)? Mk. 1:16-20; 1 Pet. 1:6-9

b. Jesus has explained faith to us, Matt. 6:24 (30); Lk. 14:25-27.

5. Mothers; Do you know you need Mary’s kind of (genuine) faith?

a. Fear of being a new mother; Expectations and uncertainties.

b. Faith to be the Lord’s maidservant (Lk. 1:38).

c. Faith to love and nurture your child in God’s ways, Titus 2:4.

d. Faith to be patient and nurturing like Mary (who “kept all these things in her heart”), Lk. 2:51.

B. ...The Hardships and Sacrifices Having this Child Would Bring?

1. Great blessings and great trials, Lk. 1:27-30.

2. Trials and pain before birth. Already noted the betrothal shame.

3. Trials and pain during birth, Lk. 2:4-7.

4. Trials and pain after birth, cf. Matt. 2:13-15; Lk. 2:34-35.

C. ...The Responsibilities You Would have as a Mother?

1. To teach her child, Lk. 2:40, 51-52.

2. To trust and obey her Son, Jno. 2:3-5; Acts 1:14.

3. Mothers: Your heart, words and actions train and shape your child for life and for eternity.

D. ...Your Blessings Would Come through Pain and Sorrow? Lk. 2:34-35

1. Every mother learns this at child-birth (Gen. 3:16).

2. Her pain would reach to the depths of her soul. Yet, her hope was fixed on God, Lk. 1:49-50.

3. Our blessings come with pain and sorrow, too, 1 Pet. 1:6-7.

Conclusion

1. Mary was a great woman of faith, Lk. 11:27.

2. Her faith is an example for us. As Jesus said, “More than that (indeed, yet rather), blessed are those who hear the word of God and keep it!” Luke 11:28

By: Joe R. Price

Posted: December 15, 2016